Scotch Whisky Association (the appellant) is an association protecting the interests of leading distillers, blenders, and exporters of the Scotch Whisky trade worldwide. Isetan Mitsukoshi Ltd (the respondent) is a Japanese department store selling a variety of products, including alcoholic beverages. The respondent applied for “Isetan Tartan” (the mark) in Singapore in Class 33 for […]
SINGAPORE: New Intellectual Property Bill Heralds Significant Reform to IP Landscape
Legislative amendments bringing broad-ranging reform to the intellectual property (IP) regime in Singapore were tabled before lawmakers in early July 2019, following public consultations in July 2017 and August 2018. At present, IP disputes are heard in multiple fora including the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS), the Singapore State Courts, or the High Court […]
Highlights of Changes to the Malaysian Trade Marks Act
We are excited to share with you the highlights of the changes to the Malaysian Trade Marks Act (“Amended TMA”) which is currently tabled for its third and final reading before the Malaysian Parliament when it sits in October 2019. The salient features of the Amended TMA are as follows: 1. Accession to the Madrid […]
Myanmar: Updates on Trade Mark Procedures
Whilst the long awaited landmark changes to IP laws in Myanmar are yet to be finalised, the Deed Registration Law 2018 has been enacted by the Union Parliament of Myanmar. The salient features under this law are enumerated herein below: (i) The language of the documents filed must be in the Myanmar Language. (ii) Documents […]
New Procedures for Trademark Opposition in Laos
Laos’s new Law on Intellectual Property No.38/NA of November 15, 2017 was published electronically in the Laos official gazette on May 25, 2018, and became effective 15 days subsequent to its publication. This supersedes the previous Law on Intellectual Property No. 01/NA dated December 20, 2011. The new legislation brings reform to a variety of […]
Updates to Vietnam Patent and Trademark Procedures
Following on from our previous article on patent updates in Vietnam, this piece serves to summarise the key amendments made to both patent and trademark procedures by the NOIP commencing January 2018. New regulations with regard to patent and trademark procedures in Vietnam came into force on 15th January 2018. These amended regulations aim to […]
Myanmar Presents New Trademark Bill
Myanmar has yet to produce its own specific legislation on trademarks. As a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), the nation is expected to deliver its IP laws in the near future to provide protection for trademarks, copyright, patents, and other intellectual property. From August 8-10, 2017, […]
Laos IP Policy, Trademark Legislation: DIP Begins Accepting Multi-Class Applications
The Department of Intellectual Property (DIP) of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of Laos began accepting multi-class applications as of February 1, 2016. On December 20, 2011, the DIP announced that Article 33 of the Intellectual Property Law of Laos would be revised to allow the filing of more than […]
Thailand Trademark Legislation: Amends Act
Amendments to the Thailand Trademark Act will take effect on 28 July 2016. The amended Act introduces amendments to the trademark registration process, extends its protective scope and revises the applicable deadlines and fees. A summary of the amendments to the Trademark Act is described in the table below: Changes Before After Amendment on 28 […]
Myanmar Update : Trademark Practice
With significant changes in the political landscape of Myanmar (also known as Burma), there are similar expectations for corresponding changes in the economic and business practices as well. This further affects the expectations of IP holders to better protect their rights in this country. Currently, Myanmar is working with the World Intellectual Property office (WIPO) […]